Do everything to block new Covid-19 variant

What you need to know:

  • If travel restrictions are the way to go, then they should be imposed immediately.
  • Another wave would spell doom for the economy, which is yet to recover.

There is growing concern over the emergence in southern Africa of a new fast-spreading and deadlier variant of Covid-19. The United Kingdom has imposed travel bans on South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Botswana and Eswatini over the looming new health threat. France has followed suit, with more travel restrictions expected following this latest scare.

The Kenyan government must do everything possible to protect its citizens against this deadly strain. If travel restrictions are the way to go, then they should be imposed immediately.

The country is still reeling under a heavy disease burden, with more than 5,000 deaths and 250,000 infections. Another wave would spell doom for the economy, which is yet to recover. Data from South African scientists indicates the new variant is deadlier and more transmissible than all the others, including Delta. The daily Covid-19 infections in South Africa hit 2,500 on Thursday, up from a mere 106 at the beginning of November. 

Emerging variant

The biggest worry among scientists is that the vaccines designed using the original Covid-19 strain may not be effective against this new one. The researchers are keen to determine whether the emerging variant poses a threat to Covid vaccines' effectiveness.

This should worry the Kenyan health authorities, who have fought hard against the viral disease since the first case was confirmed in the country in March last year. Infections have been on the decline, leading to the relaxation of the Covid protocols.

Even though good progress has been made in getting Kenyans vaccinated, there is still more work to do. Kenyans must get vaccinated. As the government does its bit, the people must also take personal responsibility to help prevent the spread of the virus by continuing to strictly observe the Covid-19 health measures. They must not lower their guard.